Learning Journal 7 - Trudy Christman

What I have learned from Module 6 Chapters 15 and 20:

1.
Discussion Forums:

Regarding alternative medicine, I learned that acupuncture “has been proven effective in relieving post operative dental pain and in controlling nausea caused by surgery.” And that: “Overall, the researchers concluded that acupuncture could be a valuable option for patients suffering from frequent tension headaches.” I also learned that none of the participating students have experienced acupuncture.

I also learned from discussion sections that:
According to net doctor: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/examinations/ultrasoundpregnancy.htm, the description of the ultrasound scan reflect that of our text with the addition: “In the UK an ultra sound scan is a routine examination, usually performed…at 18 to 22 weeks of pregnancy.” The website further explains how an ultrasound scan is carried out and what it is used for. It adds that the “ultrasound scan can provide a good overall impression of the fetus, but even the finest examination cannot detect all possible problems.” It also addresses the question regarding the possibility of ultrasound scans harming the unborn child by noting that there is no scientific evidence to support this concern.

In regards to Chiropratic, one student responded that: There can be negatives to chiropractic. If your neck is moved too abruptly it can cause a stroke due to vertebral artery dissection, which is an injury to major arteries. stroke.about.com/b/2008/06/16/strokes-due-to-chiropractic-manipulation.htm
Readings:
1. On page 453 of our text under Health Tips, I learned that: “Many people experience headaches caused by tension in the muscles in the back of the neck and head. Often the tension alters blood supply to the brain, which causes headache. Pressing acupressure points at two different locations may relieve the headache pain.” The text further describes manual applications.
2. According to our text on page 352, there are a number of ways of prenatal testing that can be used in preventing hereditary diseases. On page 353 the text tells us that “a noninvasive form of prenatal testing is ultrasound scanning, which is used to visualize the developing fetus…Ultrasound scans use high-frequency sound waves that bounce back from the various tissues in the fetus with different intensities.” It further tells us that the scans can “detect multiple fetuses, determine the location of the placenta…gauge the fetus’s head size…abnormal brain development and neural tube defects.” Finally, it describes the scans as safe but “pregnant women are advised not to have an ultrasound scan unless their health or that of the fetus requires one.”
3. On page 451 – 452 of our text, I learned that: Chiropractic is in the categorized as alternative medicine. “Chiropractic was founded in the United States around 1900 by Daniel David Palmer, who had no scientific or medical training, but who believed throughout his life that he had a “calling” to heal people…After several…cures by spinal manipulation, Palmer concluded that virtually all diseases are caused by a subluxed (misaligned) vertebrae…He was a genius at commercializing chiropractic, and he was the first to come up with the idea of mail-order diplomas…Subluxation of vertebrae is the principal cause of disease according to chiropractic theory; subluxation can be caused by genetic disorders, falls, injuries, improper sleeping habits, poor posture, obesity, stress, or occupational hazards.” Furthermore, Palmer’s claim that “all diseases are caused by a sublexed vertebrae” seems to be a bit far reaching and his “genius at commercializing chiropractic, and …mail-order diplomas” substantiate the categorization.
Online Lessons: I learned that regarding Alternative Medicines:
1. One-half of all medical schools now offer courses in alternative medicine.
2. The World Health Organization estimates that between 65 to 80 percent of the world's population (about 3 billion people) rely on traditional (alternative) medicine as their primary form of health care.
3. In 1993, American consumers spent almost $1.5 billion dollars on herbal remedies-ten times more than was spent on over-the-counter sleeping pills from grocery stores and drug stores.
4. Worldwide, only 10 to 30 percent of people use conventional medicine, 70 to 90 percent use alternative medicine.
5. Approximately $22 million of U.S. government money has already been spent on alternative medical research since 1992 at the National Institutes of Health and Public Health Services.
6. The American Medical Association (AMA), in Resolution #514, "is encouraging its members to become better in-formed regarding alternative (complementary) medicine and to participate in appropriate studies of it.
7. Almost one-third of American medical schools-among them Harvard, Yale, John's Hopkins, and Georgetown Universities-now offer coursework in alternative methods.
8. Mutual of Omaha says it saves about $6.50 in covering non-standard (alternative) treatments.
9. 74 percent of the American population desires a more natural approach to health care.
10. Of the one out of three Americans who say they have used alternative medicine techniques, 84 percent said they would use it again.
11. Traditional Chinese medicine has been chosen by the World Health Organization for worldwide propagation to meet the heath care needs of the twenty-first century.
12. The U.S. government sponsors the use of acupuncture in drug rehabilitation programs.
13. There are five homeopathic hospitals in Great Britain run by the British National Service.
14. One out of three drugs prescribed in Germany is an herb.
15. One out of every ten Americans is under the care of a chiropractor.
16. In 1991, Americans made more visits to unconventional health care providers (425 million) than to conventional doctors (388 million).
17. One out of three Americans used unconventional medicine in 1991.
18. Americans spent almost $13.7 billion on unconventional health care in 1991.
19. 75 percent of that $13.7 billion (above) was out of pocket.
20. 12 percent of Fortune 500 companies offer alternative medicine as part of their health care packages.
21. That percentage was expected to increase to 18 percent by the end of 1996.
2. Comment on participation:
I my discussion grades are continuing to be very good - I put a great deal of effort in this part of the module. My strong participation helps me to reflect and plan questions and answers. My quiz grades have dramatically improved because I followed my plan to take the quiz within 2 days of completing the text readings and to complete the quiz in a relaxed, unhurried setting. My goal is to accomplish least a grade of “A”. I am also very pleased with my blogging abilities.
3. Vocabulary:
- Teratogen: any environmental agent that causes abnormal development of a fetus. Increases my awareness that many environmental agents act as teratogens during pregnancy and may cause abnormal development in a fetus, particularly smoking and alcohol.
- Chronic villus sampling: a prenatal procedure used to determine whether genetic or anatomical defects exist in a fetus; alternative to amniocentesis. I have heard of the term CVS but did not know what it meant regarding the health of the fetus.
- Ischemia: an insufficient supply of blood to the heart. This describes a term that I have heard many times and now I have an accurate sense of what it means.
- Avyrvedic medicine: a traditional form of preventive medicine and healing, involving mind, body, and spirit, practiced in India for thousands of years. It is spreading to Western countries. Some of this makes sense and it is always good to be educated on the unknown.
- Subluxation: misalignment of a vertebra from is correct position. Awareness of the meaning gave my discussion responses a more professional tone.